Chrysler cutting OT at Ontario plant

Chrysler Canada says it is chopping overtime at its Brampton, Ont. plant in a move to conserve parts after the disaster in Japan.

The decision to cut production at the plant, which makes the 300, Dodge Challenger and Charger, is the first potential sign of a parts shortage for Chrysler related to the Mar. 11 earthquake and tsunami that battered the northeastern coast of Japan, damaging production lines.

A parts shortage did force the Pentastar brand to idle its Windsor minivan plant earlier this week, but automaker sources say that move was unrelated to the problems in Japan.

Chrysler also said it would be cutting overtime at production facilities in Mexico.

Chrysler’s announcement comes after Toyota Motor Corp. said Monday that closing North American production facilities would be inevitable because of parts shortages from Japan.

According to The Canadian Press, temporary shutdowns of Toyota’s two southwestern Ontario assembly plants would likely happen this month.

“We do anticipate some non-production time in North America, but the location, timing and duration are unknown for now,” Pat Clement of Toyota Canada told the news agency.